February 26, 2009/Thursday

Before we go into any details about today's games, I have an announcement to make:

        I AM A RED SOX SEASON TICKET HOLDER

After 5 years spent on the Red Sox waiting list, we were offered a 10th man plan package, which is technically a season ticket.  It comes with 10 games each year, plus an extra playoff game if the Sox make it into the playoffs.
    Now for the Spring Training games.  The Red Sox hosted the Pirates today at their complex in Fort Myers, and held an early 2-0 lead thanks to the bat of Josh Bailey.  Lester pitched fine, allowing 2 hits, no runs, and striking out one in two innings.  The rest of the bullpen kept the game in control until the ninth inning, where a young pitcher named Michael James allowed the winning run to score, as the Pirates finished the game on top 3-2.  However, Spring Training is never a sign of what is to come in the regular season, so these two early losses are not really a big deal.
    The other big story in baseball is Manny Ramirez.  He was given another offer by the Dodgers, and is expected to make his decision tomorrow.  I think that everyone knows at this point that Manny will be playing in Dodger Blue next year, it is just a matter of when he accepts the offer.
    The Yankees won again today, 5-1 against the Rays.  Phil Hughes pitched well, and Jorge Posada and Shelley Duncan went deep for the Yanks.  A-Rod got two at-bats, but did not homer today and instead struck out.
    As I was going home from school, I heard a radio advertisement for Jordan's Furniture.  It turns out (for the third straight year) that they're offering free furniture if the Red Sox sweep in the World Series.  The Sox did it while the offer was up in 2007, so I would think that Jordan's has learned its lesson by now.  But I guess in this state of the economy, some businesses have to do crazy things in order to keep going.
    That's all for now.